Total US Drilling Rig Tally Rises: Here's What it Means

Nilanjan Banerjee

22 April 2024 at 8:08 am·3-min read

In its weekly release, Baker Hughes Company BKR stated that the U.S. rig count was higher than the prior week’s figure. The rotary rig count, issued by BKR, is usually published in major newspapers and trade publications.

Baker Hughes’ data, issued at the end of every week since 1944, helps energy service providers gauge the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry. The number of active rigs and its comparison with the week-ago figure indicates the demand trajectory for the company’s oilfield services from exploration and production companies.

Rig Count Data in Detail

Total U.S. Rig Count Rises: The number of rigs engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States was 619 in the week ended Apr 19, higher than theweek-ago count of 617. The current national rig count was, however, lower than the year-ago level of 753, reflecting the fact that there has been a slowdown in drilling activities. Many analysts believe that shale producers are getting more efficient, requiring fewer rigs, while some doubt whether certain producers have enough prospective land to drill.

Onshore rigs in the week that ended on Apr 19 totaled 599, higher than the prior week's count of 598. In offshore resources, 20 rigs were operating, which increased from the week-ago count of 19.

U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises: The oil rig count was 511 in the week ended Apr 19, increasing from the week-ago figure of 506. The current number of oil rigs — far from the peak of 1,609 attained in October 2014 — is, however, down from the year-ago figure of 591.

U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count Declines: The natural gas rig count of 106 was lower than the week-ago figure of 109. The count of rigs exploring the commodity was also below the year-ago week’s 159. Per the latest report, the number of natural gas-directed rigs is almost 93.4% lower than the all-time high of 1,606 recorded in 2008.

Rig Count by Type: The number of vertical drilling rigs totaled 14 units, higher than the week-ago count of 12 units. The horizontal/directional rig count (encompassing new drilling technology with the ability to drill and extract gas from dense rock formations, also known as shale formations) of 605 was flat with the prior-week level.

Rig Count in the Most Prolific Basin

Permian — the most prolific basin in the United States — recorded a weekly oil and gas rig count of 318, higher than the week-ago figure of 316. The count is, however, below the prior-year level of 358.

Outlook

The West Texas Intermediate crude price is trading at more than the $80-per-barrel mark. Although the commodity pricing scenario is favorable for exploration and production operations, there has been a slowdown in drilling activities, which may continue as upstream players are prioritizing stockholder returns rather than boosting output.

Amid the backdrop, investors seeking medium to long-term gains may keep an eye on energy stocks like Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG and Matador Resources Company MTDR.

Diamondback Energy, a leading pure-play Permian operator, has reported ongoing enhancements in the average productivity per well in the Midland Basin. The exploration and production company is likely to continue witnessing increased production volumes. FANG, carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), also has an investment-grade balance sheet. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Matador Resources has a strong presence in the oil-rich core acres of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin. Promising oil prices are likely to aid it in increasing production volumes. Matador acquired Advance Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, which comprises several oil and natural gas-producing properties and undeveloped acreage. Zacks #3 Ranked MTDR expects the buyout to be accretive to important valuation and financial metrics.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Baker Hughes Company (BKR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Matador Resources Company (MTDR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

Twentytwo13
US$1.7b in Indonesia, Azure data centre in Thailand, US$2.2b in Malaysia: All eyes on spillover effect as Microsoft goes big in SEA
Microsoft's series of investments in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia are not surprising, as the tech giant had earlier announced a US$10 billion investment in AI abroad. All eyes are now on the upskilling of the local workforce and the creation of economic opportunities for governments, businesses, and communities in the region. The post US$1.7b in Indonesia, Azure data centre in Thailand, US$2.2b in Malaysia: All eyes on spillover effect as Microsoft goes big in SEA appeared first on Twentytw
The Edge Singapore
OCBC ‘not in the business of providing liquidity’ for Great Eastern
“We have no direct interest in stimulating Great Eastern liquidity or share price.”
The Smart Investor
5 Singapore Stocks Paying Out Dividends in May
Here are five stocks that will be dishing out dividends in May. The post 5 Singapore Stocks Paying Out Dividends in May appeared first on The Smart Investor.
The Smart Investor
3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That Reported Solid Earnings
Here are three Singapore blue-chip stocks that delivered a robust set of earnings. The post 3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That Reported Solid Earnings appeared first on The Smart Investor.
The Telegraph
Apple suffers $91bn hit to sales as Chinese shoppers ditch iPhones
Apple has suffered its biggest drop in iPhone sales for more than three years as Chinese shoppers turn away from the company and embrace domestic rivals such as Huawei.
BBC
Apple sales fall in nearly all countries
The tech giant says demand for its smartphones fell more than 10% in the first three months of the year.
Reuters Videos
EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China
STORY: Light-up emojis. Music for pedestrians outside. In China, electric carmakers are offering up luxury tech – without the luxury price tag – in the battle for buyers. Cars are being loaded with once-expensive interior features and technology for as low as $20,000 – less than half the cost of the average new car in the U.S. Analysts say that poses a big challenge for foreign heavyweights like Tesla and Volkswagen. This is the Nammi – on display here at the Beijing auto show. It’s made by state-owned automaker Dongfeng and sells for under $10,000. That’s around the same as BYD’s Seagull EV – China’s fourth best-selling electric vehicle. The market is also crowded with electric and plug-in vehicles that splash luxury technology. Xpeng is planning to offer an EV with high-level self-driving features – for under $21,000. Analysts say the price of specialized components like sensors needed for self-driving and screens for onboard entertainment has tumbled. That's making competition in the world’s largest auto market all the more fierce… And chipping away at the halo that once hung over foreign brands. That’s according to an outlook from McKinsey analysts released in March. Take Zeekr, for instance. It's the carmaker with those emojis. Here’s its Shanghai head of design, Javier-Garcia Gallardo: “When we see the differences between our product launch in China versus our product launch in Europe and, you know, the technical details are as important as the design and the brand. And this integration of technology is essential for the Chinese customer.” Still, German automakers say they’re not backing down. Here’s Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius: “We have a dedicated digital tech team here all the way down to providing things like in the new E-Class, you can sing karaoke. Maybe you don't have that feature in Germany. Maybe you should. But here, customers love it.” Mercedes, as well as Volkswagen, both told Reuters they’re working to deliver those so-called “wow effects” for Chinese buyers.
Reuters
DBS quarterly results trounce forecasts, another record year expected
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Singapore's biggest bank DBS Group reported on Thursday first-quarter results that trumped expectations with broad-based growth and said it expects net profit to exceed last year's record result. Underpinned by robust business momentum as loans grew and both fee income and treasury customer sales reached new highs, net profit jumped 15% from the same period a year earlier to S$2.96 billion ($2.2 billion), beating market expectations for a 3.5% decline. Guidance that net profit would grow this year was more upbeat than in the previous quarter when DBS said only that it expected this year's net interest income to be around 2023 levels.
Reuters
Global hedge funds chase Hong Kong stocks rally, UBS says
Global hedge funds that use an equities long-short strategy are growing increasingly bullish on China, evidenced by the heavy pick-up in their purchases of Hong Kong-listed shares, UBS Group said in a note. Hong Kong's stock markets, which closely mirror China's struggling performance, have recovered since March as Beijing rolled out economic support measures. Swiss bank UBS said in a note Hong Kong market trends had changed in the final days of April, in contrast to that since February when most inflows came from short covering.
Reuters Videos
Japanese yen surges on suspected intervention
STORY: The Japanese yen surged against the dollar in the early hours of Thursday. Traders said it looked like another round of intervention by Tokyo authorities to prop up the ailing currency. The dollar fell to 153 against the yen, from over 157 earlier, though it later clawed back much of the losses. It comes after the Japanese currency slid to multi-decade lows against the greenback. Speaking earlier in the week there was a hint of action from Vice Finance Minister Masato Kanda, who overseas yen policy: “The extreme and abnormal fluctuation caused by speculation and its negative impact on the national economy cannot be overlooked. Therefore, we would like to continue to take appropriate actions when necessary.”On Thursday there was no confirmation from the government that intervention had taken place. However, it’s thought a similar move also happened on Monday. Money market data the following day suggest Japan’s finance ministry spent $35 billion propping up the currency. The yen has been pummelled by factors including Japan’s very low interest rates compared to the U.S. Though the Bank of Japan did finally do a hike in March, a gulf remains. That’s likely to remain the case for some time, with stubbornly high inflation in the U.S. seen delaying rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Such factors have seen the yen fall around 10% versus the dollar just this year.
CNN Business
Apple plans record $110 billion share buyback amid challenging earnings report
Apple on Thursday posted first-quarter revenue of $90.8 billion, down 4% year over year, as the iPhone maker continues to struggle with growth challenges, particularly in China, amid an uncertain economic environment.
Zacks
Should Investors Buy the Dip in AMD (AMD) or Super Micro Computer's (SMCI) Stock After Earnings?
Investors may be wondering if it's time to buy the post-earnings dip in AMD (AMD) and Super Micro Computer's (SMCI) stock as both are AI leaders.
Reuters
Ex-BOJ official predicts Japan will keep intervening to prevent yen free-fall
Japan will likely keep intervening to prop up the yen until the risk of speculators triggering a free fall in the currency has been eliminated, said a former central bank official who was involved in Tokyo's market forays a decade ago. The yen jumped on Thursday on what traders suspect was the second day of intervention following such action on Monday to stem the currency's sharp declines. Japan's Ministry of Finance has declined to confirm whether it had stepped in, leaving markets on edge over the chance of another bout of intervention.
AFP News
US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates at 23-year high
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady for a sixth straight meeting, keeping the level at a 23-year high to fight stubborn price increases.For months, the US central bank has held its benchmark lending rate at a high level to cool demand and rein in price increases -- with a slowdown in inflation last year fueling optimism that the first cuts were on the horizon.
CNN
At least 25,000 people in the US are starting weight-loss drug Wegovy each week, drugmaker says
Drugmaker Novo Nordisk said it’s been increasing supply of its sought-after weight-loss drug Wegovy, with at least 25,000 people now starting to take the medicine each week in the United States.
Yahoo Finance
Stock market today: Stocks surge as jobs report revives rate-cut bets, Apple jumps 6%
Surprisingly upbeat Apple earnings were boosting spirits in the wait for the monthly jobs report.
The Edge Singapore
Beng Kuang Marine posts $11.3 mil profit before tax for 1QFY2024 from land sale
This surpasses the company’s FY2023 profit before tax of $10.82 million.
The Edge Singapore
DBS, POSB internet banking services down for some, two days after MAS’s suspension was lifted
The evening disruption comes just hours after DBS announced yet another record net profit of $2.96 billion for 1QFY2024.
The Smart Investor
5 US Growth Stocks That Are Growing Their Profits and Dividends
We profile five promising US growth stocks that are enjoying increasing profits and dividends. The post 5 US Growth Stocks That Are Growing Their Profits and Dividends appeared first on The Smart Investor.
Reuters
Analysis-Japan faces a tough tug-of-war with yen bears
Japan appears to have bought some time and respite for a tumbling yen through its latest bursts of suspected , yet it has also set itself up for a protracted war with a market that views the currency as a compelling sell, analysts say. Traders estimate the Bank of Japan (BOJ) spent nearly $59 billion defending the currency this week, helping to put the yen on track for its best weekly performance in over a year. The yen has swung wildly during the suspected intervention bouts, gaining nearly 5 yen in a matter of minutes and relinquishing part of that speedily.

Straits Times Index

Nikkei

Hang Seng

FTSE 100

Bitcoin USD

CMC Crypto 200

S&P 500

Dow

Nasdaq

Gold

Crude Oil

10-Yr Bond

FTSE Bursa Malaysia

Jakarta Composite Index

PSE Index

Total US Drilling Rig Tally Rises: Here's What it Means

Rig Count Data in Detail

Rig Count in the Most Prolific Basin

Outlook

Latest stories

US$1.7b in Indonesia, Azure data centre in Thailand, US$2.2b in Malaysia: All eyes on spillover effect as Microsoft goes big in SEA

OCBC ‘not in the business of providing liquidity’ for Great Eastern

5 Singapore Stocks Paying Out Dividends in May

3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That Reported Solid Earnings

Apple suffers $91bn hit to sales as Chinese shoppers ditch iPhones

Apple sales fall in nearly all countries

EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China

DBS quarterly results trounce forecasts, another record year expected

Global hedge funds chase Hong Kong stocks rally, UBS says

Japanese yen surges on suspected intervention

Apple plans record $110 billion share buyback amid challenging earnings report

Should Investors Buy the Dip in AMD (AMD) or Super Micro Computer's (SMCI) Stock After Earnings?

Ex-BOJ official predicts Japan will keep intervening to prevent yen free-fall

US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates at 23-year high

At least 25,000 people in the US are starting weight-loss drug Wegovy each week, drugmaker says

Stock market today: Stocks surge as jobs report revives rate-cut bets, Apple jumps 6%

Beng Kuang Marine posts $11.3 mil profit before tax for 1QFY2024 from land sale

DBS, POSB internet banking services down for some, two days after MAS’s suspension was lifted

5 US Growth Stocks That Are Growing Their Profits and Dividends

Analysis-Japan faces a tough tug-of-war with yen bears